Cook County Traffic Violation Defense Lawyer

The consequences for being charged with traffic violations are tougher than ever. Sandra L. Byrd in Chicago, Illinois is a criminal and traffic defense attorney with real-world experience defending against traffic violations for numerous clients. Attorney Sandra L. Byrd will explain your rights fully and make sure that you understand what you are facing and what options are available to you.

An Overview of Traffic Violations in Illinois

Many traffic violations allow you to choose one of two options – pay a fine or appear in court. Some violations require a court appearance. It is often in your best interest to challenge traffic violations because of the affect they may have on your right to drive in the future. Ms. Byrd handles traffic cases including:

If you are issued a ticket, be sure to read it carefully. The issuing officer should indicate whether you have the option to pay a fine or must appear in court, but you are responsible for understanding what is required. There are specific actions you must take in either case and there are associated deadlines. Failure to meet those deadlines can result in harsh consequences such as hefty fines or suspension of your driving privileges. Some of the more frequent violations that require a court appearance are:

Suspension of Drivers’ License

Illinois uses a point system to determine the length of suspension. Each violation has an associated point value. The length of the suspension will be based on the total number of points assessed and can vary depending on factors such as the drivers age and prior driving record.

Common violations that can result in suspension are:

Multiple traffic tickets or moving violations in a calendar year

Driving without a valid or expired license

Failure to pay fines or child support

Driving on a suspended or revoked license carries significant penalties and a conviction can include serving time in prison. Choose Attorney Sandra L. Byrd to help you deal with the consequences of having a suspended or revoked license. She will work with you to pursue the best possible outcome including a dismissal of or possible reduction in charges.

Aggravated Speeding Offenses

Some speeding offenses are considered aggravated based on the amount of miles per hour that exceeds the posted limit and the location where the speeding occurred. Illinois traffic laws are ever changing and in some cases supervision and alternative sentencing options are no longer available. According to the Illinois Vehicle Code, some speeding offenses, which were previously considered a petty offense (fine only), now include possible jail time:

Speeding between 31 to 39 miles per hour over the posted limit is a Class B misdemeanor that carries up to six months in jail

Speeding in excess of 40 miles per hour over the posted limit is a Class A misdemeanor that carries up to one year in jail

Other aggravated speeding offenses include speeding in certain areas such as construction and school zones.

If you were charged with any traffic offense, contact Sandra L. Byrd today for free initial consultation. She will fight hard to protect your rights and your right to drive. From her Chicago, Illinois office, she serves clients in Cook County, Chicagoland and beyond. Call (312) 928-1000 today.